Hermione and Ron did not have to sit in the prefect box this year so they and Harry chose an empty spot and settled down for the trip. As soon as everyone was seated and starting to get comfortable Ron started in.
" Can you believe this, I can't believe that my sister is now " going out" with Seamus. What is he thinking, he is supposed to be my friend. O what do I have to complain about, she is going to do what she wants anyway, been hanging out with Hermione too much!"
Before Hermione even had the chance to say a word Harry jumped up in her defense.
" Ron, don't go blaming this on Hermione, this has nothing to do with her. Your just pissed because your sister is growing up, and getting more action than you are, and you don't like it. Now I think we should quite discussing this because it is just going to get people riled up. I also believe that you owe Hermione an apology!"
Ron and Hermione were shocked by the way Harry reacted, they had never seen him get so argumentative with one of his friends about something this simple. Ron complied with Harry's request and simply stated a quiet, " I'm sorry."
The rest of the train ride was pretty much silent, except for the whispers of Harry and Hermione talking about the feast that they were getting ready for, and watching all the new found witches and wizards being sorted.
The feast and the sorting was coming to a close as everyone admired and questioned their new found house mates. Dumbledor has rose to give his final speech before everyone departed as he does every year. Throughout all of this Hermione found herself staring at him. Wondering when would be the right time to tell him how she felt. Wondering if he feels the same, or just plain old what his reaction will be.
Everyone departed with the professor's last words, and began to head up to their separate housing areas. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all together as they usually are, but they walked in a much quieter fashion than normal. Ron seemed to still be in shock of his sister, and Harry's protest on the train, he was not very talkative.
When reaching the common room Ron fastly stated his goodnights, and I'll see you in the morning's.
Harry and Hermione had without words decided to sit down by the fire, as everyone went their separate ways for the evening. Hermione thought is would be best to break the silence, so as she often does, she spoke up.
" Thank you by the way Harry, for standing up for me." Harry smiled, and laughed and stated , " Only instinct." They both laughed, and talked some more. It had been a very long time sense Harry and Hermione alone had sat down and talked about things. They even talked about the death of Harry's godfather, which turned to tears on both of their parts. They eventually realized that they were both sitting on the rug by the fireplace holding each other crying. It felt nice, all of it. To get all the crying out, to talk, and even sit down and comfort one another.
Harry surprised Hermione when he looked up at her, and brushed her hair away from her face and said, " Hermione lets not cry about this anymore, he is free now, and everything will be alright. Yes, things are tough right now and safety is on a high, but we still have each other." He smiled a different kind of smile that she had never seen cross his lips. She just nodded, and happened to glance up at the clock. " HARRY, O MY, we must get to bed we have stayed up half of the night and we have to get up early!" Harry calmed her down, and made her think a bit, " Yes, you are right, we should get to bed, but I hope that you agree with me what I say that it was a great time we shared tonight." She was glad to hear that, and smiled. " Yes, I agree." Harry helped her up off the floor, and walked her to the bottom of the girl dormitory steps. He simply said good night and walked away to his bedroom.
Harry didn't quite hurry off to his room as it seemed to look like. He hid in a shadow and watched Hermione slip away upstairs. Harry decided that he was going to tell her how he felt, he would plan it all out, for tomorrow night, and hope for the best. I have to tell her that I love her, I can't deny it any longer.
Hermione slept very soundly that night, and woke bright and early eager to head downstairs. I am going to tell him tonight, I have to! She casually slipped on her clothes, and hopped happily down the stairs.
Ginny was awake and noticed the big change in Hermione over the night. As Ron noticed the quite obvious one in Harry. Harry had everything all planned, it was as if he planned it in his sleep, but knew it would be perfect. "I am going to tell her tonight, no matter what. I just hope that she doesn't push me away." Harry didn't realize that is red haired friend was standing behind him. " Who are you telling tonight?" , blared Ron from behind Harry. Harry swung around in shock. " Hi Ron, Erm, thought I was in here alone." " Well your not, so tell me what is going on, and why you came to bed at nearly 3 in the morning." " Sorry Ron, but I don't have to tell you anything, I was up late because I was talking, and tonight I am going to tell the beautiful lady that I love her. I am not telling you who it is, because you have a big mouth and will ruin everything for me!" Ron was turning a bit red with anger, but tried to keep his cool. " Fine Harry, do what you will, I don't care." With that he turned and walked away.
Harry blew him off, " He just needs some time to cool off, he'll be coming back begging me to tell him who it is."
At breakfast Hermione had saved Ron and Harry both seats, but chose to ignore her because he didn't want to sit by Harry. He sat towards the other end of the table next to Neville. Hermione was a bit confused until Harry joined her, and told her that they had had a spat. She wondered over what, but it was clear that Harry didn't want to reveal what it was about. So she changed the subject to, " Should I have pancakes, or eggs?"
Harry was starting to become nervous as the day ran by. Yet he still held his control very well, and tried to act if nothing was wrong.
In potions Hermione couldn't help it. She just kept thinking about the night that she had shared with Harry. How nice it felt to be held by him, to smell his clothes as she had her head on his chest. I am going to tell Harry tonight, maybe I should just give him the note I wrote, that would be easy enough. I have to tell him that I am in love with him. I have been for a long time, but I have been denying it because I don't want to wreck our friendship. Yes, maybe I should say something like that, hmm, I don't know. Maybe..
Hermione Granger! Pay attention, you are not going to learn anything sitting there in a daydream all day. Now, I suggest that you open your book and turn to page 375.
Hermione hated that fact that Professor Snape single handedly picked her out, but she was daydreaming a lot today.
Hermione did as Snape had asked and opened her book to the correct page. On the other side of the room Harry was acting like he was taking down notes foe the class, when in fact he was doing quite the opposite. He was writing a latter to Hermione that was saying the time and place where they should meet tonight.
I think 8 o' clock should be good, yeah that should work. Hmm.. where, where should we meet, somewhere nice, yet private. I know we should meet outside, by .. the bridge. I hope that she wants to come. I mean last night was great!
Harry decided that he was going to give the letter to Hermione after potions because they didn't have any more classes together today, and it would give her time to think about it before supper was ready.
Thankfully the end of potions class was over. Everyone was gathering their things and heading out as quick as possible. Except Hermione and Harry, Harry casually walked up to Hermione and tried to make small talk., " Yeah, that potions lesson was something wasn't it?" " Yes, it was." They both stood there for a moment until Professor Snape jumped in. "Are you two going to stay in my class all day or are you going to leave, because I have things to get done." The both turned and walked away with disgust. Outside the door they continued.
" Well, here Hermione this is for you, and Erm, I hope you have a good rest of the day." Hermione was not expecting this, but she smile and walked away. Harry began to walk away as well, when he noticed a small folded up piece of paper. He assumed it was Hermione's. When he knelt down to pick it up, he noticed that Harry was wrote nicely on the front. He didn't want to leave it of course. So he picked it up.
Should I read this? I mean my name is on it, maybe she did it on purpose.
Harry quite discussing this in his head. He opened the note and to his surprise read …
Dear Harry,
I don't know if I will ever really give this to you, but for some reason it makes me feel better when I write things down. So, you and I have been friends sense our first year at Hogwarts. I think that the friendship that you, Ron, and myself have is wonderful. Which is why I never told you this sooner. Although it seems lately I have just realized how I feel. Harry, I am in love with you, I have been for quite some time. I just never really knew how to say it. I also didn't want to jeopardize our friendship. I hope that we can still be friends, and carry on. I am also quite sure that you don't feel the same for me as I you, but maybe we can talk this out. Anyway now you know.
Love Always,
Hermione
Harry was utterly shocked by what he had just read. H e was then sure that Hermione had accidentally dropped the letter. After a moment of shock, he was thrilled!
This is GREAT! That means when I tell her, she will be happy, and everything will be just fine. The only problem is Ron. Wait, who knows how old this letter is, what of she doesn't feel like this anymore? Oh, well, I am taking a chance, and I hope to Godric that she still feels like this.
Little did Harry know Hermione had just wrote that letter 2 days ago.
Hermione was sitting in her Ancient Ruins class when she remembered the note that Harry had handed to her at the end of potions. She quickly got it out of her pocket, unfolded it and read….
Hermione…last night was great, I really enjoyed spending that time with you! I was hoping that we could get together again tonight. I was thinking around 8, we could meet outside by the bridge. I hope that you would like to have another fun evening together. Please let me know.
Harry
